Two-time Olympian Daisaku Takeda of Japan won the lightweight men's single skulls final at the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Sunday.
According to the Japan Rowing Association, it is the first time in history that a Japanese placed first in any rowing discipline at a World Cup.
Takeda, who switched from lightweight double to single after his partner fell sick, overcame an early threat from Ingo Euler of Germany and Vasileios Polymeros of Greece in the final quarter of the race and cruised home in 7 minutes, 3.80 seconds for victory.
"I had to give up on the double, so I was just going to test myself (in the single)," said Takeda, who placed sixth in the lightweight double at both the Sydney and Athens Olympics.